News Summary
A coalition in Los Angeles has launched the L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund to aid vendors losing income due to intensified immigration enforcement. The initiative aims to raise $300,000, with over $21,000 already secured. The fund will cover essentials for street vendors affected by decreased customer traffic amid the fear of deportation. The application process is being finalized for vendors across the county. The fund follows previous successful aid efforts during the pandemic and highlights the challenges vendors face in this climate.
Los Angeles – A coalition of immigrant rights and street vendor advocacy organizations has announced the launch of the L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund, aimed at providing direct aid to street vendors facing significant income loss due to heightened immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. The fundraising initiative has a goal of raising $300,000, and as of Tuesday afternoon, over $21,000 has already been secured.
The coalition comprises various organizations including Inclusive Action for the City, East L.A. Community Corporation, Public Counsel, and Community Power Collective. As stated on their GoFundMe page, 100% of donations will be directed towards covering essentials for vendors, including food, supplies, and rent. The increasing immigration raids have severely shrunk the customer base for many street vendors, who typically sell items like raspados, fresh fruit, or hot foods. The fear of deportation has further contributed to reduced foot traffic, as highlighted by Sergio Jimenez, a senior organizer within the coalition.
To assist the street vendor community, the application process for the fund is currently being finalized and will be open to vendors throughout Los Angeles County. This is not the first time the coalition has successfully provided assistance; previous fundraising efforts were instrumental in distributing aid during the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, with more than 5,000 workers receiving one-time payments from similar funding campaigns between January and April alone.
In a response to the current climate of heightened immigration enforcement, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has temporarily paused unpermitted street vending enforcement. The department indicated that its focus will now shift toward outreach and education to help vendors obtain health permits and ensure adherence to food safety standards. This operational shift aligns with other local events, such as Long Beach’s cancellation of its annual DÃa de los Muertos Parade due to similar immigration concerns.
The challenges faced by street vendors amid ongoing immigration enforcement lend urgency to these fundraising efforts. The recent case of Emma De Paz, a street vendor and grandmother who was released from detention after four months, exemplifies the intense pressures facing this community. De Paz has been an advocate for street vendors, helping inform them of their rights and becoming a symbol for efforts to raise funds to support her legal defense.
California has also taken legislative action to protect street vendors through the enactment of Senate Bill 635, known as the Street Vendor Protection Act. This law, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, aims to protect vendors’ personal information from federal immigration agencies, providing an essential layer of security for vendors who fear deportation.
The L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund aims to mobilize financial resources to support those in the street vendor community who have been directly impacted by heightened immigration enforcement and reduced customer traffic. As the coalition works to finalize the application process for this aid and continues its fundraising efforts, they emphasize the importance of providing essential support to individuals fighting to maintain their livelihoods in the face of adversity.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Street Vendors Affected by ICE Raids
- Wikipedia: Street Vendor
- Los Angeles Times: Street Vendor Released from ICE Detention
- Google Search: Street Vendor Rights California
- Spectrum News: Street Vendor Protection Act
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- CBS News: Impact of Immigration Enforcement on Street Vendors
- Google News: Los Angeles Street Vendors
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